Hat brace



18, 1928. 1,696,047 H. MAR-n N HAT BRACE Filed Aug. 24, 1927 I 2 sheets-sheet 1 l if 1d' 14 1f 3 yz- 3 i za ATTO R N EY De1s,`192s. 1,696,047

l I H. MARTIN HAT BRACE Filed Aug. 24. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 @argan/fifa ATTORN EY Patented Dec. 18, 1928i.

UNITED STATES HENRY MARTIN, 0F EDDYVILLE, KENTUCKY.

HAT BRACE.

Application led August 24, 1927. Serial No. 215,209.

This invention relates to braces primarily adapted for use within hats to retain the shapes of the crowns therefor.

An object of the invention comprehends a supporting member carried within the sweat band of the hat.

,the invention further consists of the follow ing novel features and details of construction, to be hereinafter more fully described,

illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the appended claim.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 a. longitudinal sectional view taken through a crown hat with the inven tion applied.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2. Y

Figure 4 is an elevation of a modified form of the invention.

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the modification.

Figure 6 is an elevation of an additional modification of the invention as applied.

Figure 7 is a sectional view on line 7 7 of Figure 6.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like characters of reference denote corresponding parts, the reference character 10 indicates asubstantially inverted T-shaped supporting member, the horizontal leg 11 thereof being curved to conform to the configuration of the hat crown and adapted to be received within a pocket portion as defined in the application of a sweat band to a hat crown. The vertical leg 12 of the supporting member 10 is depressed upon the inner side as indicated at 13 to provide an embossed portion upon y the reverse side thereof and adapted for reception within a groove or depressed portion 14 in a vertical leg 15 of a crown engaging member 16.

Clamping sleeves 17 carried upon the adjacent extremities of the vertical legs for the supporting and crown engaging members 1U and 16 respectively are adapted to clamp the adjacent legs to prevent the bead or rib from riding out of the vgroove 14 whereby the leg 15 maybe raised vertically of the leg 12 and held against displacement by said sleeves. Outwardly converging arn'is 18 carried upon the upper endof the vertical leg 15 lor the crowny engaging mem ber 1G are adapted to be disposed upon the opposed sides ot' the center crease and the crown oi" the hat. Penetrating elements 19 carried by the vertical leg 15 between `the arms 18 are adapted to engage the lower portion of the crease. Y

As illustrated in Figui-e1 of the drawings, the arms 18 and adjacent portion ofthe vertical l5 are curved to conform to the natural configuration of the hat crown.

The adjustment afforded between the vertical leg-s ot the supporting and crown en gaging members is adapted to facilitate application of the invention upon' hats having diil'erent heights of crowns.

ln Figures 4 and 5 of 'the drawings, I have illustrated a modified form of the invention which is constructed of' wire in con# tradistinction to a flat material, in the instance of the form of the invention as previously described and illustrated, the modification takes the same configuration of the preferred lorm. The penetrating elements are excluded as well as the clamping sleeves. In the mrldilication the vertical portions thereof are disposed in juxtaposition and parallelism. ne extremities thereof are provided with loops 2() adapted to receive the vertical leg oit the companion member. Frictional `engngemeut Vis caused between the leg portions at the points ot connection whereby the device will beretained in a desired adjusted position.

ln Figures (S and 7 of the drawings I have illustrated an additional modification of the invention which is essentially the same as the form of the invention as disclosed in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings, save that successive convolutions or loops 21 are formed upon the extremities of the leg portions of the supporting and crown engaging members to further provide a locking means between the members for the purpose set forth. The extremities of the transverse legI for the substantially inverted T-shaped supporting member terminate to provide upwardly and inwardly curved extremities 22 which are adapted. to prevent the ends of the transverse leg from penetratingthe pocket Jorton, as previously described, in the sweat and.

The invention is primarily designed to prevent hat crowns from being knocked in at the ends or becoming slouched when dampened.

Subsequent to a hat cleaning process and while the hat is still damp from being saturated with different cleaning fluids, any one of the different 'forms of the invention if applied, immediately thereafter, would retain the original shape of the hat While drying. It is frequently known that persons engaged in the hat cleaningbusiness fre quently crease hats in a different manner than that desired by the Wearers, in such case the hat is subsequently reci-eased in a different manner and the initial ereasedetracts from the desired one.

The invention is designed to retain the original and customary crease of hats and from which various deviations or departures from the saine may be eiiectively accomplished without causing the usual bulges upon radically changing the original con figuration of the hat crown.

The invention is susceptible ofi various changes in its form, proportions and minor details of construction, and the right is herein reserved to make such changes as properly fall within the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:-

A brace device adapted for use within hats to retain the shapes of the crowns thereof comprisingr a brace member of substantially inverted T'shaped configuration adapted for reception 'within a pocket portion behind the sweat. hanih a crown engage i HENRY MARTIN. 

